CLARION’S CIGICH NAMED HONORABLE MENTION KODAK ALL-AMERICA

            Clarion University junior forward Heather Cigich (Johnstown/Conemaugh Twp.) has been selected a 2004 NCAA Division II Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-America.

            “What an honor for Heather and for Clarion,” Clarion’s 15^th-year head coach Gie Parsons said. “We haven’t had a Kodak All-America for a long time. It is great to have someone national recognized. Heather has worked extremely hard over the last three years to achieve this award. We are very proud of her.”

            Cigich had an outstanding junior campaign for the Golden Eagles leading the PSAC in both scoring (20.0 ppg) and rebounding (12.1) while ranking 15^th in the nation in scoring and third in rebounding.     

An all-around player, Cigich also ranked 2^nd in the PSAC and 41^st in the nation in steals (3.1 spg), 4^th in the PSAC in blocked shots (1.1 bpg) and 7^th in the PSAC in shooting percentage (51.9 percent – 218-420). She also added 2.5 apg and shot 74.8 percent (101-135) from the free-throw line.

            Cigich added 21 double-double, three 30-point games, including a season-high 31 points twice – Edinboro Feb. 25 and West Liberty Nov. 23 – while going over 20 points 13 times. She also had one 20-rebound game – 21 vs. IUP Feb. 14 – and seven 15-rebound contests. Here 541 points in 2003-2004 rank fourth  all-time in a single-season at Clarion, her 328 rebounds ranks third and her 84 steals rank fourth.

            Already among the career leaders for the Golden Eagles, Cigich is currently averaging a career double-double with 16.9 ppg and 10.6 rpg. The 16.9 ppg currently stands as the highest career average in school history, while her 1,355 career points are fifth most in school history, her 850 rebounds third highest and her 63 blocks third most.  

            Cigich joins an impressive list of Golden Eagle players under Parsons who have achieved Kodak All-America status including Carlita Jones (1994 & 1995 first-team Kodak All-America), Mona Gaffney (1996 Kodak All-America, 1995 Kodak Honorable Mention All-America), Shannon Coakley (1994 Kodak Honorable Mention All-America) and Leatha Dudeck (1993 Kodak Honorable Mention All-America).

            The Kodak All-America honor is just another notch in Cigich’s belt this season adding to her first-team Daktronics All-Region and first-team PSAC-West awards. She was named PSAC-West Player of the Week seven times this year, and was a DII Bulletin Pre-season All-America and a pre-season PSAC-West selection. She was also a first-team PSAC-West selection last year and a second team PSAC-West selection as a freshman.

            GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES: Cigich helped Clarion to a 15-12 overall record, a 7-5 mark in the PSAC-West (tied for second) and a PSAC playoff berth.

HEATH CIGICH CAREER STATS